Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 7:17

17 Be not overmuch wicked , neither be thou foolish : why shouldest thou dye before thy time ?

Do not take occasion, either from the impunity of sinners, v. 15. or from the prohibition of excessive Righteousness, to run into the contrary extream, the defect of righteousness, or to give up thy self to the practice of all manner of wickedness, as the manner of many men is, Ch. 8. 11. But this is not to be understood as if he allowed a lower degree of wickedness, no more than that prohibition of not letting the Sun go down upon a mans wrath, Eph. 4. 26. permits him to keep his wrath all the day long; and no more than the condemnation of excess of riot, and of abominable Idolatries, 1 Pet. 4. 3, 4. doth justifie any kind of rioting or Idolatry.

Which he adds to shew that such sinners, howsoever they esteem themselves wise, yet in truth are egregious fools, as the following words prove.

Either by the justice of the Magistrate, or by the vengeance of God. For though I said that somtimes a wicked man prolongeth his days, &c. v. 15. yet commonly such persons are cut off, and thou hast sufficient reason to expect and fear it.

Marginal references: Heb. not in [illegible: 1 word].